Ross Wilson and (pictured) former Rangersplaceholder image
Ross Wilson and (pictured) former Rangers | Getty Images
Ross Wilson worked alongside Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard at Rangers for almost three years.
Steven Gerrard has backed sporting director Ross Wilson to be a success at Newcastle United.
Toon chiefs appointed the 45-year-old following the summer transfer window. He followed David Hopkinson - the new CEO - as Newcastle aim to provide stability after a turbulent couple of years at boardroom level.
Wilson told supporters at the STACK in December that funds would be available if needed. However, barely a whisper went by as Newcastle - choosing to keep their powder dry until the summer - finished the window empty-handed.
Steven Gerrard gives Ross Wilson approval
Liverpool legend Gerrard - who worked under Wilson for almost three years at Rangers - believes Newcastle are in good hands. When asked about the Scot, he told TNT Sports: "I would say so. They were in safe hands already with Eddie but what I will say about Ross is he will bond a strong relationship and partnership with Eddie. He will be an incredible support to him.
"We couldn't have done what we did at Rangers (win the league unbeaten) without Ross Wilson. He is a great guy, he is very humble and is excellent at his job. He works around the clock and he will be planning this window, if there is something that is on but he will also be well ahead of the game (for the summer). His knowledge of the game worldwide is outstanding."
Steven Gerrard U-turn?
Gerrard previously opened up about almost falling out with Wilson before their famous unbeaten season. He said: “I fought and I nearly fell out with Ross Wilson about it, I nearly fell out with people above me.
“I felt we needed another goalsocrer as well as Defoe, as well as Morelos. Jermain was a little bit older, couldn’t play every minute of every game, Morelos was a little bit unpredictable at times in terms of red cards, coming back from international duty.
“We needed someone else, a non-international, in their peak years who could score goals as well. The deal was right that (in the balance) and I had to say ‘I want this signing.’ It was the first time I nearly spat the dummy out to say ‘we need this signing’ and that was key.”
Ross Wilson on January transfer window
Speaking to supporters, new Toon sporting director Wilson confirmed there is money in the kitty if needed. He said: “The scouting work is always ongoing. So, the guys are doing loads of work with that all the time. Can we spend in January? Yes. If we want to, we can.
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“It’s obvious to everybody given the level of club spend in the summer that we’re not going to do that again in the winter window as well, for a variety of reasons. But if we want to spend, we can.
“Of course, we will be creative, of course we’ll be opportunistic as well. But probably the most important thing is that it would have to align with what the summer plan looks like, which is the bigger squad plan. All of those conversations are ongoing.
“We’ll have the ones about where Eddie sees the need in the squad, if at all. But for now, the conversations have been, ‘What have we got, what do we think about what we’ve got, where do we see this’, then let’s see how that fits into January and the next part of the conversation.”
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